Vietnam to link to SE Asia electricity
grid

Vietnam plans to connect its national grid to a regional
network as it aims to raise electricity supply to fuel its
fast-expanding economy, the government said Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem has asked the Ministry
of Industry and Trade to sign a memorandum of understanding
to participate in a trans-Southeast Asia power grid network
at a gathering of ASEAN energy ministers in Singapore on
Aug. 23.

Demand for electricity in Vietnam is forecast to grow an
average 17-18 percent per year, prompting the government
to invest about US$3 billion per year to expand output as
well as raise imports from neighbors Laos and China.